[Health+] How should women approach dieting differently from men to succeed?

Recently, I was talking with my younger colleague at work about various things.

Health trainers typically apply to ordinary people.

I heard that applying male-dominated trainer methods to women often doesn't work well.

I see.

They say that diet plans should be applied differently for women and men.

It is said that this is because both the physical structure and the psychological mechanisms are different.

Because there are differences between men and women in muscle growth caused by hormones.

I think you should diet in a way that suits women and is tailored to the individual.

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There is a book called "Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus," which suggests that men and women have completely different tendencies in every aspect. The body is no exception. When it comes to dieting, women need a diet optimized for their unique needs, different from men, in order to achieve satisfying results.

남자와 여자는 모든 부분에서 다른 성향을 가지고 있다. 다이어트 역시 남자와 다른 여자에 최적화된 다이어트를 해야 만족스러운 효과를 얻을 수 있다. 본 기사와 무관한 이미지. [사진=픽사베이]

Men and women have different tendencies in every aspect. Dieting should also be optimized for women, who are different from men, to achieve satisfactory results. Image unrelated to this article. [Photo = Pixabay]

While it might seem that men and women would experience the same dieting effects if they follow the same diet and exercise routines, this is not the case. This is because men and women have completely different body structures as well as different thoughts and psychological mechanisms.

To understand in more detail, there is a difference in muscle growth caused by hormones. Testosterone, a hormone that plays a major role in muscle growth, is produced in larger amounts in men and less in women. This is why, even when doing the same exercise, men experience faster and greater muscle growth and different exercise effects compared to women.

There are also differences in the distribution and allocation of fat within the body. Men tend to have fat concentrated around the abdomen throughout their lives, while women tend to accumulate fat in the hips and thighs during their reproductive years. After menopause, however, women’s fat distribution shifts to resemble that of men, with fat settling around the abdomen.

남자와 여자는 신체 구조과 완전히 다를 뿐만 아니라 생각과 심리기제도 다르게 나타난다. 본 기사와 무관한 이미지. [사진=픽사베이]

Men and women not only have completely different physical structures but also exhibit different thoughts and psychological mechanisms. Image unrelated to this article. [Photo = Pixabay]

Here, women's dieting also involves differences in purpose and direction. Women generally want to preserve fat in areas like the chest and hips while making their arms, legs, and abdomen slim, mainly focusing on becoming slender. However, men's dieting goals mostly aim to remove body fat and build muscle to achieve a firm and larger physique.

So, how should women’s dieting differ from men’s? First, you need to clearly establish the purpose of your diet. If you choose a dieting method that doesn’t align with your goal, the results you achieve after all the effort may not be satisfying. If you want to improve your fit and line of clothing, but you only starve yourself, causing your face to lose volume and even your chest muscles to disappear, it can be considered an incorrect diet.

Along with this, the target body fat percentage should be set according to each individual's lifestyle, rather than being an unattainable goal. Women are more affected by body fat percentage than men, and in particular, women need to maintain a body fat percentage of 20-30% to keep reproductive functions healthy. While those who diet solely to improve muscle definition have no choice, it is advisable to maintain this level of body fat percentage for a healthy daily life, body line, or if planning to have children.

여성들이 효과적인 다이어트를 하기 위해선 구체적인 목표설정, 적절한 체지량률 설정, 생리 주간에 맞는 계획을 가져가야 한다. 본 기사와 무관한 이미지. [사진=픽사베이]

Women need to set specific goals, establish appropriate body fat percentage targets, and plan according to their menstrual cycle to achieve effective dieting. Image unrelated to the article. [Photo=Pixabay]

Finally, it is important to consider dieting around your menstrual cycle. During menstruation, your physical condition can deteriorate rapidly. If you push yourself too hard with dieting during this time, your efficiency will decrease and your motivation for dieting may disappear. Conversely, after menstruation ends, your increased appetite subsides and your condition improves, allowing you to engage in high-intensity exercise without difficulty. Therefore, it is advisable to adopt a 'relaxed' dieting approach during menstruation and a 'high-intensity' strategic dieting cycle after menstruation.

Reporter Shin Sujeong soojungsin@inews24.com

Health/Fitness

[Health+] How should women approach dieting differently from men to succeed?